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Your daily media briefing - Monday 14 September

  

In the Media is our daily collection of news and commentary related to secularism, available delivered to your inbox. You can also read the latest news and opinion and listen to our podcasts on our website.

  

Secularism in the media

 

Islamists are 'calling critics Islamophobic', counter-extremism expert warns

Sara Khan, who leads the Commission for Countering Extremism, said "extremists are exploiting both the anti racism agenda and free speech cause, weaponising them to further their own extremist propaganda."

The Telegraph

 

Young people more likely to agree with extremist statements if they do not mix with people from different religions, poll shows

Experts said the research, which compared beliefs held by British Muslims and white non-Muslims, showed that "Islamist and far-right ideas are resonating with young people in the UK".

The Independent

 

'Why do churches have a right to run our schools?'

Almost all schools in Northern Ireland are paid for by the state. So why should churches, as of right, have an automatic role in the education of our children, asks Fionola Meredith.

Belfast Telegraph (via PressReader)

 

Concerns about hate crime bill from across civic Scotland have to be addressed, says MSP - NSS mentioned

Mid Scotland and Fife MSP Alex Rowley has urged the Justice Secretary to go back to the drawing board to address fundamental problems with the Scottish Government's proposed Hate Crime Bill.

Central Fife Times

 

'SNP Hate Crime Bill is attempt to criminalise our democratic values' - NSS mentioned

The Hate Crime Bill represents a serious risk to the democratic freedoms we all cherish, says Thomas Kerr.

Glasgow Times

 

London Lib Dems suspend mayoral race hopeful over past ‘Don’t vote for a Jew’ campaigning

Geeta Sidhu-Robb used the tactic to try to woo Muslim voters when seeking to be election as a Conservative MP in 1997.

On London

 

Bereaved SNP activist in new bid for assisted dying law

Josh Aaron-Mennie is to put proposals to the SNP annual conference next month which could lead to new assisted dying legislation being published in Holyrood after the election next May.

The National

 

Danish PM opposes bill banning circumcision

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu thanked Frederiksen on Saturday for opposing the bill, according to a statement from the Prime Minister's Office.

The Jerusalem Post

 

Israel: Parents flee hospital with seriously hurt baby after circumcision gone wrong

Police launched a search Friday afternoon for a couple and their baby, after they fled a hospital in northern Israel with their son who had been seriously injured during his brit milah circumcision ceremony.

The Times of Israel

 

Taliban renew call for 'Islamic system' during historic talks with Afghan government

The Taliban's political leader reiterated his group's demand for Afghanistan to adopt an "Islamic system" as peace talks with the Afghan government began in Doha on Saturday.

France 24

 

'Hindutva backlash against Atheist Republic’s founder echoes Islamist reaction to blasphemy'

The actions of Islamists and Hindu nationalists underline why there must be no free speech exception for religion, says Kunwar Khuldune Shahid.

Newslaundry

 

'Iran's secular shift: New survey reveals huge changes in religious beliefs'

Iran's census claims that 99.5% of the population are Muslim, a figure that hides the state's active hostility toward irreligiosity, conversion and unrecognised religious minorities.

Phys.org

  

In case you missed it...

 

NSS welcomes decision not to hire chaplain to say council prayers

The NSS has welcomed a decision by the mayor of Swale borough council in Kent not to appoint a civic chaplain to conduct council prayers.

  

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